At the end of every rugby season pundits, experts, ex-players and the like bring out their teams of the year. In the spirit of being an opinionated fanatic, I thought it prudent to take a stab at who impressed me this year.
1. Cyan Healy
Beast Mtwarira was consistently the best scrummager in the Rugby Championship, and was very good during the autumn internationals despite playing on three bogs. His general play was solid all-round and conceded very few penalties this year.
But ultimately I believe Cyan Healy is currently the best loose head around. Overall he simply out performs any other loose head when you look at scrumming, general play and defence.
2. Bismarck du Plessis
This one is difficult. Stephen Moore for Australia has been a rock all season, Adriaan Strauss superb. But ultimately, in spite of the controversy of yellow cards and elbows, Bismarck du Plessis has the innate ability to influence games.
He is masterful at the breakdown and acts as another pilferer, and his ball carries are strong. And although he made a few errors with his line throwing in the latter part of the autumn series, he remains the best hooker in world rugby.
3. Adam Jones
Tight head for me is a bit of a ‘who has performed the best of a not so great season for tight heads’.
The new scrum engage caused tight heads across the globe to have to adjust, and ultimately I will go with Adam Jones for his efforts during the Lions tour.
4. Eben Etzebeth
He ruled the lineouts during the Rugby Championship, he has ball carrying ability, defensive meanness and is simply a superb athlete.
5. Sam Whitelock
The only way I can describe him is that if he was to partner Etzebeth it would be one of the most formidable locking partnerships in modern rugby.
6. Willem Alberts
Yes, I know everyone will say I am biased, but I don’t care. It is the softening up of opponents that he does, often unseen in defence that gives Louw and Vermeulen freedom to do the other stuff.
Without him, the Springboks pack does not have the same power or effectiveness.
7. Michael Hooper
Controversial I know – most would expect me to pick McCaw or Kane, but Hooper has performed as a lone ranger this season.
His work rate in a struggling pack early in the season was commendable, and in the latter stages of the season, when Fardy and Mowen began to perform, his influence on the breakdown for Australia had the opportunity to shine.
For me he is a very balanced No.7 – he has great speed, high work rate and good linking ability.
8. Kieran Read
No need to say more.
9. Conor Murray
I honestly did not know who to pick here.
Fourie du Preez seems to be a popular choice, however his unavailability caused us more harm than the good he did us when he was available. We should have given youngsters an opportunity and for that reason in good conscience I cannot pick him.
Will Genia was inconsistent and Aron Smith had a good start to the season, but I am going left field here and will pick Conor Murray, purely because I thought his influence in the third Lions test was crucial.
10. Aaron Cruden
Quade Cooper ended the season well, but Aaron Cruden for me has ruled the Rugby Championship, not only with the manner in which he attacked the line but with his tactical kicking which has been simply brilliant this year.
Cruden has outshone every other flyhalf when you look at the balance of play.
11. Julian Savea
Here I want to pick Habana, for me still one of the best international wings in world rugby.
George North has also established himself and will go down as a legend of Welsh rugby, but how can you dismiss Julian Savea? His clinical finishing this year has been phenomenal.
12. Jean de Villiers
Many say Nonu has been better than Jean de Villiers, but I disagree.
Jamie Roberts played little part in the Lions series and again this autumn he was injured, so for me the captaincy, leadership, example and professionalism Jean de Villiers has shown this year puts him in at 12.
Considering the superb tries he has scored as well, Nonu does not make it in my view.
13. Conrad Smith
There have been some strong performances at outside centre – Davies for the Lions and for Wales, Conrad Smith for the All Blacks, new comer JJ Engelbrecht for the Boks, Kuridrani for Australia.
But ultimately it has to be Conrad Smith for the general that he is and the manner in which he organises and controls the outside backs of New Zealand.
14. Ben Smith
New Zealand had a number of players playing at right wing this season – Charles Piatau, Ben Smith and Corey Jane in the latter part of the season after he came back from injury.
But Ben Smith has been superb this season, even though he plays fullback most of the time.
15. Israel Folau
Willie le Roux has announced himself on the international scene similar to Israel Folau, Halfpenny has been good, Dagg has been good. But for sheer ability in the air and on attack, Israel Folau outshone everyone.
If there is any Southern SANZAR or Springbok bias in my team, then so be it. These lists are subjective and not without bias no matter how unbiased we try to be.
I tried to justify each of my selections to the best of my ability. I challenge you Roarers to pick a better team than mine.
DCNZ
Guest
Whoah whoah, a one dimensional Savea??!! You can't say that to a Canes fan mate. He has rounded out his game, his passing is out of sight fantastic now, he took some great high balls this year, tackled well (ok he missed a few at Ellis Park), got involved in the game more, his running lines are better and he has more than a try a match. Ok, what have you got in response HJ?
alex
Roar Pro
My 22 1-healey 2- du Plessis 3-jones(A) 4-Etzebeth 5-whitelock 6-dusitoir 7-mcaw 8-reid 9-smith(a) 10-cruden 11-savea 12-nonu 13-smith(c) 14-habana 15-barrett 16-beast 17-mealamu 18-retallick 19-meesum 20-crockett 21-north 22-genia 23-folau hope u guys like it some big calls hahahahaha
joeb
Guest
''Pocock and Burger?'' He musta copped a boot in the head as he went to look up the chimney, just as Santa was on his way down, eh. :(
jameswm
Roar Guru
How big are they at 11-14?
Jerry
Guest
Pocock and Burger? WTF?
Jerry
Guest
Savea wasn't even marking Habana.
IvanN
Roar Guru
Here is my biased team - since i have not watched enough of the European teams, i havent included too many of their stars. But a mostly RC based team would be Ayerza Biz Malherbe Eben Whitelock Pocock Burger Read du Preez Cooper Habana de Villiers Conrad Smith Ben Smith willie le Roux
IvanN
Roar Guru
Agree with Habana over Savea - while savea has exceptional finishing, in the ellis park test he was smoked twice by habs, Habs also smoked folau and north on seperate occasions - he was simply the oustanding 11 this year.
scottmit
Roar Rookie
Ha! Would love to see the game
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
Interesting article, and interesting to note that although us Aussies are excited and positive about the year ahead, we still don't justify the kind of numbers in the World XV that SA and NZ do - so maybe we should all just turn it down a notch and take the role of the quiet achiever - a new concept for us. We're normally the country that gets a few reasonable victories under our belts and then shouts it from the rooftops. Face it, Aussie comrades, we'll still be lucky to be competing for 2nd place in the RC next year let alone challenging for the title.
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
Saia Faingaa?? Wow, are you serious. You can't be.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Saia Fainga'a and Liam Gill in a World XV? ... Why?
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Piatau had one really good game on the end of year tour against Japan and one stinker against Fiji. B.Smith was nominated for just about every top award there was and played nearly every minute of every test this year. Piatau is nowhere near a world team of 2013. Not even in the top 15 wingers based on this year. He has amazing promise but be serious.
AWCMONREF
Guest
Cough splutter choke :( Dagg will struggle to compete with Folau on the high ball, granted Dagg hasn't scored tries this year but everywhere else on the park he has been brilliant including under the high ball, this one eyed Kiwi agrees to disagree BB, Dagg has created some amazing plays this year, set up his team mates brilliantly, has always been fantastic under the high ball and unlike your guy Folau knows where he needs to be on the feild and can read the play...... :)
fredstone
Guest
Yet you pick Folau after one season! On top of that Folau has been defensively naïve and his kicking game seems to be iffy at best. The choice you need to make here is vision and nous vs power. Campo and Le Roux in a similar mould, they have vision and time, something that neither Folau nor Savea seem to have an abundance of.
We do need to beat the AB's at least at home next year Dan, otherwise it will be truly pathetic. Let's hope we do.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Don't necessarily see it like that. I think that SA, Ireland and Wales approximately have the same number of world class players - more than Australia and England and France, but that certain individuals (Folau, for example) are capable of moments that break open games. Certain sides are better coached than others too.
dan
Guest
I reckon its a kiwi trolling dont worry BB you are one of the the fairest unbiased saffas that frequent this site Good to see the green and gold running again they APPEAR to have the wind in the sails although im not getting me hopes up Next year should be a cracker reckon it will be alot closer and whoever can scrounge an away game will hold up the cup! cheers Dan
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Team I would like to coach. 1) Vunipola 2) du Plessis 3) Cole 4) Etezebeth 5) Rettalick 6) Luatua 7) Hooper 8) Read 9) Smith 10) Cooper 11) Savea 12) SBW 13) Tuilagi 14) North 15) Halfpenny 16) Matuu 17) Healy 18) Tameifuna 19) Lawes 20) Messam 21) Youngs 22) Cruden 23) Ranger
Nice team there mate, I particularly like your 14, are you waiting until match day before you "surprise" us. ;) The fabric softener was also rather apt. :)